A Belfast mum has opened up about her struggles with breastfeeding in a bid to help other women and encourage them to reach out and seek help and support.
Ruth Maguire gave birth to her first child in August 2016 and wanted to try breastfeeding. But it was during the first few weeks that she encountered problems and pain and like other mums, didn't know much about breastfeeding so wasn't sure if it was normal or not.
Luckily for the mum-of-two, her midwife picked up on the signs pretty quickly that her daughter was actually suffering from tongue tie, a condition that is common in babies but not always easily spotted or even looked for in some cases.
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Tongue-tie also known as ankyloglossia is where the strip of skin connecting the baby's tongue to the bottom of their mouth is shorter than usual, making it more difficult for them to latch on the breast when feeding.
Speaking about her experience, the 37-year-old told Be: "You see a few different midwives and health visitors in those first few weeks but one particular midwife I had was very good with breastfeeding and offering advice and help and I was telling her I was finding it very sore with feeding and it was very painful. She checked straight away and she thought that Rose did have a tongue tie. So she was very on the ball and she referred Rose to get it snipped at a place on the Lisburn Road, and it's done through the NHS.
"I had no idea what it was I had never even heard of tongue tie, but even at that early stage of my breastfeeding journey, I was very sore, Rose was feeding constantly she was doing that cluster feeding that newborns do and I was only too happy to try anything if it helped with the pain.
"My partner was more hesitant he was like 'what is this procedure? It sounds scary', especially with a newborn but the time to get it is when they're newborn as we're told they don't feel it, it is literally a quick snip. Whereas if you waited until they're older they need to be put under anesthetic, and lots of us are running around with tongue tie and aren't aware and it can cause feeding issues and speech issues as well."
Ruth continued: "I remember going to a breastfeeding support group and I was saying I was getting the tongue tie procedure and so many others were on the same boat. I thought it was so interesting, I had never heard of it and neither had my mum or my inlaws and they just seem to be very on the ball with it now and checking for it.
"And with Boobingit.com I hear stories from mums all the time on tongue tie and because of the pandemic some of them have had to wait a long time or had to go private and actually pay for the treatment and that's sad to hear because it is a very simple and short procedure. It takes seconds, and that could potentially derail a person's breastfeeding journey if they have one an undiagnosed tongue tie, or two it is maybe picked up too late."
Despite having Rose's tongue tie snipped, Ruth didn't get the 'miracle cure' she hoped for initially but says it then made her look for what else could be the cause of the pain.
"I was expecting miracles afterwards and they ask you to feed straight away after the procedure and I'll admit I didn't feel any difference it was still very sore but what we still needed to work on was the latch, she wasn't latching on well everytime, sometimes it was fine others it wasn't. It was probably six weeks in that I was no longer sore and I was starting to enjoy it.
"I can't say personally that tongue tie solved our issues but I can't say for certain it didn't help because if we didn't get it done it might have been harder to get her latched on properly. You just have to seek out all the help you can get to get to the cause of the pain."
Ruth, who is also a breastfeeding peer support worker in the Belfast Trust area is urging other mums who are breastfeeding and experiencing any pain not to suffer in silence and accept that it will get better.
"If you're struggling with breastfeeding, advocate for yourself, speak up, and say what it is you're finding difficult or if something doesn't feel quite right. We always say any pain with breastfeeding, although it's common, it's not normal, it's common but don't accept it and usually, there is something there that needs to be looked at. So whether it is the latch, and often with the bad latch it is something as simple as the baby having a tongue tie, so speak to your midwife.
"With speaking to your GP, you need to be aware that all GPs are not trained specifically with breastfeeding, so reach out to an infant feeding specialist, there is lot of breastfeeding support groups across Northern Ireland and you can speak to someone who is a trained lactation consultant. If you have just had a newborn and you're struggling early on there are infant feeding specialists in many hospitals now to turn to.
"If you don't ask you don't get, there are breastfeeding helplines, there are breastfeeding peer supporters in the community and I am one of those, just speak up for yourself and ask for help, it could really help your journey. Don't accept any pain or challenges in your breastfeeding journey as one of those things, they can be solved. "
Where to turn to for help
We asked each of the Trust areas across Northern Ireland what support they provide for breastfeeding mums, we have detailed the help available below
Belfast Trust
Our maternity services are accredited by the UNICEF Baby Friendly Initiative. We believe breastfeeding is the healthiest way to feed your baby.
Breastfeeding mothers groups are available across Northern Ireland. They are usually organised by health professionals such as community midwives and health visitors.
These groups promote breastfeeding by providing support and information to mothers. Breastfeeding mums get an opportunity to share experiences and help each other. You are welcome to attend a breastfeeding mothers group at any time before or after your baby is born. Details are available from:
- your community midwife
- this leaflet for breastfeeding mothers
- Breastfed Babies website developed by the Public Health Agency
If you are having concerns about breastfeeding at any stage, our midwives and health visitors are here to help. If the midwife or health visitor believes specialist help is needed, they can refer you. Download further information on specialist breastfeeding support.
South Eastern Trust
- Parent Craft Classes - Infant feeding is discussed and mums are directed to ‘Feeding Your Baby’ page using a QR code. This provides parents with comprehensive feeding information and links for further advice as needed. It also provides leaflets in different languages.
- Parents can access monthly ‘Breastfeeding Workshops’ via zoom, all dates and codes are available on the ‘Feeding your Baby’ page via QR code provided to all mothers at the time of their booking. Alternatively parents can simply watch a short presentation which can also be accessed on the web page.
- Specialist infant feeding support can be provided on an individual basis for those mums whose babies require a more specialist pathway e.g. cleft lip and palate etc.
- As a Baby Friendly Hospital, all Midwives are trained to support parents throughout their maternity journey and can refer to the Infant Feed Lead for support and guidance as needed.
- We also provide pump loan service for urgent needs.
Northern Trust
The Northern Trust actively promotes and supports breastfeeding and has been awarded a UNICEF Baby friendly accreditation, achieving the highest standard, the Gold award in 2018. The award recognises the excellent level of care, knowledge, skill and support provided by our Maternity and Health Visiting services, who are all highly trained in breastfeeding and infant feeding.
Our Neonatal Unit was also the first unit in NI to be fully accredited with stand alone Neonatal Baby Friendly Accreditation in June 2021. Each family is allocated a Midwife and Health Visitor who can be contacted for additional infant feeding support by face to face or telephone.
Face to face and virtual Breastfeeding Support Groups within your local area are provided by SureStart and our Health Visiting Service.
Included within this list are the groups available, locations, days and times held and a contact for the group should you wish to ask any questions. Find your local Breastfeeding Support Group
Southern Trust
The Southern Trust is UNICEF BFI accredited. All our midwives, maternity support workers and health visitors are trained to provide breastfeeding support to UNICEF Baby Friendly standards across both hospital and community. Antenatal classes and specific Breastfeeding workshops are held monthly.
The Southern Trust Breastfeeding support page is shared with each antenatal mother and written resources are provided - The Pregnancy book, Off to a Good Start and Birth To Five book.
Nine Breastfeeding Support groups are available weekly Trust-wide for breastfeeding mums and pregnant woman are welcome to attend.
The Breastfeeding Peer Support team is also available as a support – mums are contacted by their link worker within 48 hours of discharge and if consent, are linked to a breastfeeding peer support volunteer.
There is also the Pathway for Specialist Breastfeeding Support Service, referred by clients named health professional for those who have difficulties requiring specialist support.
Western Trust
This year the Western Trust will be sharing videos on social media around the support available for breastfeeding mothers. There will also be information stands across the three hospital sites on the Monday 1 August 2022.
For local businesses there will be a zoom awareness session on Wednesday 3 August 2022 from 10.30-11.30am. The session will focus improving knowledge on breastfeeding, how to support a breastfeeding mother in your workplace and information on how to join the ‘Welcome Here’ scheme. To register for this event please visit the site HERE.
The Trust will also be supporting ‘The Big Latch on’ breastfeeding event on Saturday 6 August 2022 with information and support available to mothers on the day. For further information on breastfeeding and how you can help support breastfeeding mothers visit www.breastfedbabies.org
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